SRC

Organization:
The Space Research Centre of Polish Academy of Sciences was founded in 1977 and today employs about 180 scientists, engineers and specialists. It is one of the main Polish institutes in fields of physics and astronomy, cooperating with over 100 organizations and institutes around the world. It plays an important role in shaping the national space policy. Main fields of activities at SRC are: space physics, spatial geodesy, remote sensing and technology development.
SRC is participating in space science missions as well as GMES projects and applications:
- space projects (CASSINI, INTEGRAL, ROSETTA, MARS EXPRESS, HERCHEL, VENUS EXPPRESS, BEPI COLOMBO),
- data acquisition (the Astrogeodynamical Observatory in Borowiec, the Geodynamic Laboratory in Ksiaz),
- interpretation and modelling (space physics)
- interpretation and modelling (solar physics, heliosphere, lonospheric and magnetospheric physics)
- physical and geodetic studies of planets and Earth
- applications (GMES, heliogeophysical prediction service)
- data exploration and dissemination (ULISSE)
- space technology development (e.g. MUPUS, FPGA DCDC, SPEKTROP, AEROFAST, mole penetrator 'KRET‘, geological penetrator CHOMIK).

Main tasks:
Lead of WP8

Experience:
The Earth Observation Group is involved in science, applications and services development. It has started its activity with the GMES projects, realized within ESA and EU programmes (PECS, 6th and 7th Framework Programme).
Some relevant projects:

Prof. Marek Banaszkiewicz: Director of Space Research Centre. Physicist with two main fields of activity: (i) planetology and solar system physics carried out through space experiments and modelling, (ii) GMES, which he has started to promote in Poland since 2002 and got involved in a number of projects, such as GMES-Poland, LIMES, geoland2 (Task manager of SATChMo, one of the core services) and G-MOSAIC.

Regina Kozyra: Economist and projects coordinator at the Earth Observation Group of SRC PAS (since 2010). In the GEONetCab project responsible for the market research, creation of the regional report and organization of workshops, trainings and networking activities in field of Earth observation. Also involved in the organization of a series of events for popularising science.

Dr Andrzej Kotarba: Geospatial analyst and climatologist at the SRC PAS. His main area of scientific interest is the satellite remote sensing of the atmosphere, especially research on global and regional cloud cover. He develops schemes, procedures and products for operational service of the national crisis management centre. He is the author of a series of research papers and popular science articles on EO and space exploration. Involved in activities of popularising science and education.